FIA summons Qureshi on Nov 1 for probe into cipher audio leak

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday summoned former foreign minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi for an inquiry into the audio leaks regarding the controversial US cipher.

Sources in the FIA confirmed the development and said former foreign secretary Sohail Mahmood had also appeared before the investigation team at the FIA headquarters, where he was grilled over the issue.

The sources disclosed that a notice was issued to Mr Qureshi, summoning him to the FIA headquarters on Nov 1 at 12 noon. He is expected to be questioned regarding the cipher during the ongoing inquiry into the audio leaks.

Earlier, the federal cabinet had issued a formal approval to pursue legal action against PTI Chairman Imran Khan and his party leaders regarding the ‘cipher’ audio leaks, it was reported.

The FIA was given approval by the cabinet to investigate the audio leaks, wherein the former government high-ups allegedly discussed how would they “play” on the cipher issue.

A cabinet committee was constituted on Sept 30 to discuss the audio leaks purportedly featuring the PTI chief and his party leaders, including general secretary Asad Umar, then personal secretary Azam Khan and Mr Qureshi. The committee at a recent meeting recommended legal action, with proposals presented before the cabinet in the form of a summary for approval.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2022

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

Malik Asad is an Islamabad-based reporter for Dawn with two decades of experience covering legal affairs, judicial developments, and the civil bureaucracy. He can be found on X at @asadrp.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi takes on govt for ‘focusing on Imran, not poverty’

In second cipher-related leak, Imran and party bigwigs purportedly strategise ‘foreign conspiracy’

‘Play it up’: leaked clip ‘implicates’ Imran in cipher conspiracy

Truth be told

Oct 29, 2022 08:47am

SMQ spins words and never utters the same sentence again unless he has a story to sell. It will be interesting to see how he lies his way out of this situation. The basics of investigation will show that all their versions of events will mirror each other to the minutest of details and that will be a give way.

Recommend 0

Justice

Oct 29, 2022 08:58am

Qureshi is dreaming to be PM and wishes IK's disqualification holds good.

Recommend 0

Later

Oct 29, 2022 09:11am

Pakistan has learnt nothing from 1971. Shunning away public opinion and being scared of a mandate creates biggest chaos.

Recommend 0

Philosopher (From Japan)

Oct 29, 2022 10:38am

Lets the party begin.

Recommend 0

Tahir Raouf

Oct 29, 2022 10:57am

He is convenance to the main two culprits (Imran and Azam) and must be dealt on that basis

Recommend 0

Gal Wadh Gayi

Oct 29, 2022 11:07am

Few facts: 1.meeting between D Lu and Pak amb was at a farewell dinner NOT in a formal meeting 2.D Lu comments about IK were in response to Pak Amb’s complain that he couldn’t arrange a phone call from Biden to IK, NOT a threat but as a statement for why no call 3. The ‘cipher’ is From Pak Ambs as HIS recollections NOT from US! 4. The ‘notes’ are further chinese whispereque manipulation for political gain by IK! But IKs supposedly ‘educated’ followers clearly don’t bother about facts!

Recommend 0

Pakistani1

Oct 29, 2022 12:45pm

The time these inquiries take and the media attention it takes, by the time a decision has been made a lot has changed and all the effort has been wasted.

Recommend 0

DEMAGOGUE

Oct 29, 2022 03:56pm

FIA has no domain to incursion in Foreign Office matters. Stop stretching the matter unnecessarily. Former Foreign Minister Qureshi will not help instead spreading beans on US-Pak relationships. Better move forward and strengthen US Pak relations, that’s in mutual interest.

Recommend 0

Zak

Oct 29, 2022 04:02pm

FIA conies loyal to neutrals and pdm better find anotger job. A tsunami is coming to wash away the dirt, pakistan has changed.

Recommend 0

Zak

Oct 29, 2022 04:04pm

@Truth be told, SMQ spins words and never utters the same sentence again unless he has a story to sell. It will be interesting to see how he lies his way out of this situation. The basics of investigation will show that all their versions of events will mirror each other to the minutest of details and that will be a give way. He has to spin nothing, David Lu, admitted he said what he said in the cypher. Its a lost case, going no where. Cypher in the FO.

Recommend 0

Frank Manuel

Oct 29, 2022 04:58pm

I would pay to keep Quereshis mouth shut. The problem is he never shuts up. Only non sense comes out. The investigative team needs to take paracetamol for headache before the session. However the Cipher issue is fake as we all have known all along. Khan and Co did this for political advantage to the detriment of the nation.

Recommend 0

Dr. JohnnieWalker

Oct 29, 2022 05:18pm

If found guilty throw him in slammer.

Recommend 0

Kanwar

Oct 29, 2022 05:45pm

Instead they should be probing cipher and its outcome.

Recommend 0

Nakked Saddhu , Slumcountry

Oct 29, 2022 06:59pm

@Justice, Another free,jobless , sadhu talking from different exit spot and expressing fantasy material to ease the stress . PTI is specter for Lingamdas .

Recommend 0

Henchi

Oct 30, 2022 05:40am

He has gift of gab.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Why SQD-Mini LED is the display breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?

The display industry is entering a new phase, where reducing trade-offs is as important as pushing performance limits.

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.